Marilyn Powell

Marilyn Royce Powell was born on November 2, 1931 to William and Gertrude (Roelandt) DeReu in Jasper, MN where she was raised. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper. She attended school and graduated from Jasper High School in 1949. On August 29, 1949, she was married to Robert Powell in Jasper. Following their marriage, this union provided them with nine wonderful children. They farmed briefly in the Jasper area and in 1965, they moved to Verdi, MN. During this time, Marilyn worked as a homemaker and doing bookkeeping at Cenex in Elkton, SD, Veire's Mini Mart in Lake Benton, MN and at an assisted living home in Lake Benton. Bob preceded her in death on January 1, 1995. Marilyn was admitted to the Hendricks Nursing Home in Hendricks, MN on August 27, 2025 where she passed away on Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at the age of 94 years and 23 days.

Marilyn was a member of St. Genevieve Catholic Church in Lake Benton where she was active in the CCW. She enjoyed baking, crossword puzzles and crocheting. Holidays revolved around her magnificent feasts, fresh baked bread and buns, Braddock Pie, potato salad and countless homemade treats. Her most prized past time was making baby quilts for all of her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Marilyn's most joyful times were when her kids and grandkids came to visit her. Her sons-in-law enjoyed helping her with household chores to get named "Favorite Son-in-Law". She enjoyed the fun bantering among them which brought many laughs to all. It was also enjoyable during holidays and family gatherings to see which grandchild had the honor of bringing Grandma home at bedtime. Those were very cherished moments for her.

She is lovingly remembered by her children, Teresa (Bob) Waldeisen of Gretna NE, Mark (Connie) Powell of Lake Poinsett, SD, Michael (DeVonne) Powell of Sioux Falls SD, Jolene (Mark) Knutson of Sioux Falls, Barbara (Wally) Powell of Aurora SD, Thomas (Elisa) Powell of Tomah, WI, Lisa (Lonnie) Willert of Lake Benton and Michelle (Bobby) Bigford of Viola IL; daughter-in-law, Diann Powell of Lake Benton; 22 grandchildren; 7 step grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; 7 step great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, John (Joy) DeReu of Kalispell, MT; and one sister, Janice Riekman of Sioux Falls. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert; son, Robert (Doc); infant twins; granddaughter, Alicia Vos; her parents; brother, Edward; and an infant brother.